UNASSIGNED: This study presents the use of dry needling (DN) as an intervention to support functional rehabilitation for an adult diagnosed with lateral epicondylosis.
UNASSIGNED: A retrospective, single subject, AB design was implemented. A 50-year-old male with a six-month history of dominant left lateral epicondylosis received traditional interventions for 4 weeks (baseline phase; A) followed by the same interventions with the addition of DN (intervention phase; B). The QuickDASH assessment, numeric rating scale (NRS) for pain, grip strength (elbow flexed and neutral), and Maudsley\'s test were used as measures of effectiveness along with patient self-report of ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLS), instrumental ADLs, work, and leisure occupations.
UNASSIGNED: The patient made minimal progress for the initial 4 weeks of traditional treatment. There were no changes to his initial pain rating of 7/10 on the NRS, left hand grip strength (67 lbs.), or initial QuickDASH score. DN was initiated at week five with a reduction in pain from 7/10 to 2/10 from weeks six to eight. He was discharged at week 12 with no pain, a score of 0/100 on the QuickDASH, non-painful grip of 83 lbs., and a self-report of the ability to perform all ADLs, instrumental ADLs, work, and leisure occupations independently.
UNASSIGNED: Dry needling appears to have been an effective intervention when integrated with a holistic approach for an individual with chronic lateral epicondylosis. More research is needed to evaluate dry needling as an intervention to support functional rehabilitation with a larger sample size and randomization.

The aim of this study was to compare the acute effects of compression contrast therapy (CT) and dry needling therapy (DN) on muscle tension (MT), muscle strength (Fmax), pressure pain threshold (PPT), and perfusion (PU) following fatigue of forearm muscles (e.g., flexor carpi radialis) in combat sports athletes. A single-blind randomized controlled trial was employed. Participants first underwent muscle fatigue induction, which involved sustaining an isometric handgrip at 60% of their maximum voluntary contraction in 5-second cycles. This was followed by exposure to one of the regenerative therapies. Forty-five participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: CT/DN (n = 15), CT/ShDN (n = 15), and ShCT/DN (n = 15). The sham condition (Sh) involved a simulated version of the technique. Measurements were taken at four time points: (i) at rest; (ii) immediately after exercise that led to a state of fatigue; (iii) 5 minutes after therapy (PostTh5min); and (iv) 24 hours after therapy (PostTh24h). Each participant was exposed to one experimental condition and one control condition, thereby undergoing evaluation in two sessions. Significant differences between groups were found in MT during the PostTh5min (p = 0.005), as well as in PU during the PostTh5min (p < 0.001) and PU during the PostTh24h (p < 0.001). All groups showed significant improvements at 5 minutes post-therapy compared to immediately post-muscle fatigue. As conclusions, CT/DN seems to be significantly better for enhancing MT and PU after 5 minutes of muscle fatigue induction. Using either CT, DN, or both combined is recommended to enhance the recovery of muscle functionality and properties, favoring recovery and potentially speeding up performance enhancement.

BACKGROUND: Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is a chronic condition caused by sensitive pressure regions within the muscles known as myofascial trigger points (MTrPs).
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) was to assess the effectiveness of adding dry needling (DN) to activate MTrPs in the upper trapezius muscle compared with usual physiotherapy among individuals with chronic neck pain.
METHODS: Thirty participants were recruited from a private clinic in Saudi Arabia. Their mean age was 29.7 ± 4.4 years. The subjects were randomized into two groups: the experimental group (application of DN to the MTrPs coupled with usual physiotherapy (n = 15)) and the control group (usual physiotherapy alone (n = 15)). The primary outcomes were pain (assessed using the visual analog scale) and disability (Neck Disability Index), and the secondary outcomes were neck active range of motion (AROM; assessed using cervical ROM) and depression (Beck\'s Depression Inventory).
RESULTS: Significant between-group difference in pain intensity was observed immediately post-intervention. Participants in the experimental group had significantly higher pain (mean difference = 1.27, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.20, 2.33, p = 0.022, Cohen\'s d = 0.889) than those in the control group. There was no significant difference between both groups in pain intensity during the follow-up. There were no between-group differences in disability immediately post-intervention. However, there was a between-group difference in disability at follow-up; participants in the experimental group had significantly lower disability (mean difference = -3.13, 95%CI -5.07, -1.20, p = 0.003, Cohen\'s d = 1.211) than those in the control group. Immediately post-intervention, the experimental group showed greater flexion AROM compared to the control group, with no differences in other AROM measures. At follow-up, the experimental group exhibited significantly higher neck AROM in extension, flexion, right and left side bending, and lower depression, while no differences were observed in right- and left-rotation AROMs between groups.
CONCLUSIONS: The addition of DN to standard physiotherapy effectively improved disability, AROM (extension, flexion, and side bending), and depression among patients with chronic neck pain.

UNASSIGNED: Stroke is a leading cause of disability worldwide and is often accompanied by complications such as spasticity. Static stretching (SS) is a common physiotherapy intervention for reducing spasticity, whereas dry needling (DN) is a novel approach. However, the combined effects of DN and SS on spasticity have not been thoroughly investigated. Given the pivotal effect of spasticity on daily activities, mitigating spasticity can significantly contribute to restoring patient independence.
UNASSIGNED: This study will explore the impact of DN plus SS on spasticity, alpha motor neuron excitability, overall function, and quality of life in patients with chronic stroke.
UNASSIGNED: A double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled trial will be conducted in patients with post-stroke spasticity in the plantar flexor muscles. Twentyeight participants will be randomly assigned to either an intervention or control group. The intervention group will receive DN (60s × 3 days/week; 1 week) plus SS (20 min × 5 days/ week; 1 week). The control group will undergo sham DN (60s × 3 days/week; 1 week) and SS (20 min × 5 days/week; 1 week).
UNASSIGNED: DN plus SS or sham DN plus SS.
UNASSIGNED: Both groups will be assessed at baseline, immediately post-treatment, and after 1 week of follow-up. Outcome measures will include the Modified Modified Ashworth Scale, H-reflex latency, Hmax/Mmax ratio, active and passive ankle dorsiflexion range of motion, timed up and go test, and the EuroQol questionnaire.
UNASSIGNED: Results from this randomized, sham-controlled study will provide evidence for the effectiveness of DN in combination with SS for spasticity.
UNASSIGNED: The additional impact of DN in conjunction with SS, a widely used method for reducing muscle tone, remains unclear and warrants investigation. This study, with a high level of evidence, aims to address this knowledge gap.

UNASSIGNED: Myofascial pain syndrome in the popliteus muscle may change motor control in the affected and related muscles due to changes in proprioceptive and nociceptive afferents, which can exacerbate patellofemoral pain syndrome. The primary purpose of the current study was to explore the electromyographic activity of the local and proximal muscles of the knee joint in patellofemoral pain syndrome accompanied by secondary myofascial pain syndrome specifically affecting the popliteus muscle following dry needling.
UNASSIGNED: Myofascial pain syndrome in the popliteus muscle may change motor control in the affected and related muscles due to changes in proprioceptive and nociceptive afferents, which can exacerbate patellofemoral pain syndrome. The primary purpose of the current study was to explore the electromyographic activity of the local and proximal muscles of the knee joint in patellofemoral pain syndrome accompanied by secondary myofascial pain syndrome specifically affecting the popliteus muscle following dry needling.
UNASSIGNED: During step-up, the onset and offset latencies of the local and proximal muscles of the knee joint, except for the offset latency of the gluteus maximus muscle (p-value=0.162), significantly decreased in the intervention group compared to the control group (p-value<0.046). Additionally, there were no significant differences (p-value>0.116) between the groups in the amplitude ratio of the local and proximal muscles of the knee joint during both step-up and step-down.
UNASSIGNED: The present study revealed that dry needling of the popliteus muscle with secondary myofascial pain syndrome associated with patellofemoral pain syndrome constructively modified the local and proximal motor control of the knee joint during step-up.

BACKGROUND: In treating post-traumatic scars, this study compared the safety and effectiveness of combined subcision with saline and microneedling versus combined subcision with platelet-rich plasma and microneedling. Combined subcision with saline and microneedling or combined subcision with platelet-rich plasma and microneedling were used to treat 36 consecutive individuals with post-traumatic scarring. The Modified Manchester score was used to assess texture change, pigmentation, and surface distortion changes. Each change was given a score between 1 and 4. A lower score (range: 3-12) indicates a better result. The mean of the three individual scores was determined. For best outcomes, each patient needed four treatment sessions for each scar, with a one-month follow-up period following the final treatment. The three variables in group B had mean scores of 1.4 ± 0.5, 2 ± 0.8, and 2.2 ± 0.9, respectively, for texture change, pigmentation, and surface distortion. With a mean score of 1.4 ± 0.5, texture change had the best response out of the three variables we evaluated. The investigator determined that the mean improvement score for patients in group B\'s overall appearance was 5.61 ± 1.19. The study has shown that the combination of subcision with platelet-rich plasma, and microneedling appears to be a promising treatment for posttraumatic scars due to its low risk and high efficacy. Our findings suggest that this is a safe method for treating posttraumatic scars, with few side effects and a low chance of recurrence.
UNASSIGNED: 04-2023-300279.
BACKGROUND: NCT06135480.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the causal pathways underlying the short-term effects of deep dry needling (DDN) in people with chronic neck pain.
METHODS: Explanatory longitudinal mediation analysis with repeatedly measured mediators and outcomes.
METHODS: Primary care setting.
METHODS: Patients (N=128) with chronic neck pain.
METHODS: Participants were randomized into 2 groups; DDN of the neck muscles combined with stretching (n=64) and stretching alone (n=64).
METHODS: Two outcomes (pain intensity and neck pain-related disability) and 3 candidate mediators (local pressure pain thresholds [PPTs], cervical range of motion [ROM], and neck muscle strength) were included. Pain intensity was also included as a competing mediator in the mediation analysis for disability. Mediators and outcomes were measured at 3 time points: after intervention and at 2- and 4-week follow-up. Age, sex, and the baseline values of the outcome and mediators were included as pretreatment mediator-outcome confounders.
RESULTS: Reductions in pain intensity strongly mediated the short-term effects of DDN on disability, from after intervention to 4-week follow-up. In addition, the attenuation of local hypersensitivity (via increasing PPTs) moderately mediated reductions in pain intensity at each time point. On the other hand, gains in cervical ROM contributed to reducing neck pain-related disability. Changes in muscle strength did not lead to better outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS: This novel study demonstrated that DDN effect on neck pain-related disability is strongly driven by the analgesic effects of this physical therapy modality. Increasing PPTs and cervical ROM seem to be also part of the mechanisms behind DDN\'s effect.

UNASSIGNED: Long head of biceps brachii tendinopathy, a frequent source of anterior shoulder pain, may lead to discomfort and diminished function. The objective of this study is to assess the efficacy of dry needling and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in these patients.
UNASSIGNED: Thirty patients were randomized into dry needling and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation groups and assessed before treatment, 8 and 15 days after treatment using a visual analogue scale, shoulder pain and disability index, pressure pain threshold, tissue hardness, and biceps peritendinous effusion.
UNASSIGNED: Both treatments significantly reduced the visual analogue scale in immediate (p < 0.001), short-term (p < 0.01), and medium-term effects (p < 0.01). Dry needling outperformed transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for the pain (p < 0.01) and disability (p < 0.03) subscales of the shoulder pain and disability index in the short-term and medium-term effects, respectively. Pressure pain threshold increased after both treatments but didn\'t last beyond 8 days. Neither treatment showed any improvements in tissue hardness of the long head of biceps brachii muscle. Notably, only the dry needling group significantly reduced biceps peritendinous effusion in both short-term and medium-term effects (p < 0.01).
UNASSIGNED: Dry needling showed non-inferior results to transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in reducing pain and disability and demonstrated even superior results in reducing biceps peritendinous effusion (see Graphical Abstract).
UNASSIGNED: The Institutional Review Board of the China Medical University Hospital (CMUH107-REC2-101) approved this study, and it was registered with Identifier NCT03639454 on ClinicalTrials.gov.
Both dry needling and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation effectively reduced pain in the long head of biceps brachii tendinopathy.Dry needling outperformed transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in short-term and medium-term pain and disability relief, respectively.Dry needling demonstrated superior results in reducing biceps peritendinous effusion compared to transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation.

OBJECTIVE: to compare the combined effect of Prolotherapy and Deep Dry Needling (DDN) versus DDN effect on relieving the symptoms of Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) anterior disc displacement.
METHODS: The clinical trial randomly allocated forty patients. The (control group) patients received four intraarticular and masseteric DDN sessions, while the (study group) patients were subjected to the exact technique followed by Prolosolution injection. The baseline preoperative measurements included Maximal interincisal opening (MIO), auscultation of the presence of clicking, and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), which were repeated for postoperative measurements after one, two, five, and eight months.
RESULTS: By the end of the study, all patients expressed apparent improvement in pain MIO and clicking. The inter- and intragroup comparison revealed that the pain score values of the control group after five and eight months were significantly higher than those of the study group. The study group demonstrated more significant MIO calibration than the control group, with insignificant differences between both groups regarding the presence of clicking at any time interval. The associations between clicking and VAS values, between clicking and MIO, and between VAS values and increased MIO were positive in the test group and negative in the control group.
CONCLUSIONS: Dextrose Prolotherapy and DDN were beneficial. However, Prolotherapy demonstrated more significant, sustained, and correlated long-term alleviation of symptoms and increased MIO.
CONCLUSIONS: The study assesses the sole effect of dextrose prolotherapy on relieving the signs of TMJ anterior disc displacement apart from the impact of the penetrating needle.
BACKGROUND: The study was registered on www.
RESULTS: gov (#: NCT05821985) by Ahmed Nagi Alghandour.

This study aimed to analyze the efficacy and safety of microneedling (MN), both alone and in combination with other treatments, to refine the approach for treating acne scars using MN. We systematically searched Pubmed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Web of Science for randomized controlled trials examining MN or its combinations in patients with acne scars. All statistical analyses were performed using Stata 18 software. A total of 24 studies involving 1546 participants were included. The analysis revealed that MN combined with chemical peels (CP) exhibited the best results in terms of degree of improvement, patient satisfaction, and treatment efficacy compared to other treatments examined, including MN alone, MN with hyaluronic acid (HA), MN with botulinum toxin‑A (TA), MN with platelet-rich plasma (PRP), PRP alone, CP, and laser therapy. The results for MN combined with additional treatments were obviously better than for MN alone. Side effects such as erythema, pain, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation showed no significant differences across all treatments assessed.